Update: Here’s a list of diocesan policies on this matter, regularly updated.
I have a screed with an side of rant churning in my head about the institutional Church’s response to this pandemic. Two actually. I just need to tease the two ideas apart and make sure that my ranting is pithy.
But in the meantime, I’ll accentuate the positive, and share some good news from our local church, the Diocese of Birmingham.
First, the churches are open. This is very important. It is vile to close churches at a time like this. If you are concerned about contagion, you get off your lazy, fearful, unimaginative tail and take care of it. You limit the space where people can sit to pray (maybe blocking off every other pew, for example), and have someone present at all times the church is open to 1) safeguard social distancing and 2) do a quick clean of a space after someone has left.
The two churches with which I am most familiar around here are our Cathedral and the church where my son plays the organ. Both are open, both actively encourage people to come pray, both provide resources for prayer and holy water.
(Links go to Facebook posts – I tried to embed, but it didn’t work.)
Both are also streaming Masses and Holy Hours – and other parishes in the area are doing so as well. I won’t focus on that, since everybody seems to be doing so. (Much to the consternation of a Spanish bishop, who is not impressed. More on that later)
Both are encouraging continued access to sacraments, particularly the Anointing of the Sick and Confession, and even Baptism. In some dioceses, the CLOSED sign has been slapped up in respect to every pastoral and sacramental activity, but not here. I think our rector’s words on Anointing and Baptism are worth noting:
The Church, following the clear indications of Sacred Scripture and immemorial Tradition, teaches that baptism is ordinarily necessary for salvation, and that parents are to have their children baptized within “the first few weeks” after birth (Code of Canon Law, canon 867 § 1). In view of the seriousness of this matter, even during this present COVID-19 crisis, Father Jerabek is continuing to offer the Sacrament of Baptism at the Cathedral, keeping in mind the following conditions:
- Crowd size will be limited to 10 or less total (including the priest) – so the child, the parents, the godparent(s), and possibly a few guests.
- “Social distancing” will be observed, with everyone standing at least 6′ apart for most of the ceremony; the one holding the baby and the priest will obviously have to get closer just briefly at a few moments — for the anointings and for the actual baptism.
- The church will be locked during the ceremony, to prevent others from entering.
- Hand sanitizer will be available for those who wish to use it after entering the church.
- Fr. Jerabek will disinfect the holy water font, wiping down all surfaces, and fill it with fresh water before the ceremony. After the ceremony, he will remove the water from the font and clean it again.
- It is permitted to use a video camera or cell phone to film the baptism or even “livestream” it for those who cannot be present.
We are rightfully taking many precautions at this time to protect physical health. However, we must not neglect spiritual health, which, in the end, is more important, since it affects our eternal destiny more directly.
HOW DOES A PRIEST DO THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK DURING A PANDEMIC LIKE COVID-19?
Carefully, to be sure.
Like most priests, I’ve had many opportunities to anoint people who were extremely ill — including even times (such as with burn victims) where it was difficult to find a *convenient place* to anoint. Sometimes I’ve had to wear gloves (which I then burn and bury); several times, I’ve had to “suit up” to one degree or another in protective sanitary gear.
Nevertheless, notwithstanding all those precautions, the actual anointing was always done with my own thumb — until recently.
During this present crisis, where we are dealing with an apparently highly-contagious virus that can also be deadly, there is another level of precaution a priest can take: Canon Law (canon 1000 § 2) permits a priest to anoint by means of an “instrument”, for a grave cause.
Therefore, we can say the prefatory and concluding prayers from a safe distance, and instead of placing the hands on the person’s head to pray silently before anointing, extend the hand in the air; then, for the anointing itself, move in briefly, having dipped the cotton swab only once in the oil, and anoint the forehead and hands with it while saying the sacramental formula. Then into a resealable bag it goes — the whole thing to be burned and buried.
The Anointing of the Sick is a great consolation for those who have begun to be in danger of death due to sickness or old age, and it can even bring the forgiveness of mortal sins, when confession is not possible. We should always call a priest (and instruct our families and friends in that protocol) whenever and as soon as this sacrament is needed — don’t wait until the person is at death’s door!
Contact information is provided after both explanations, and encouragement – encouragement – to get in contact.
Confessions at the Cathedral continue daily, via the front porch of the rectory.
At St. Barnabas, Fr. Vu has erected “Mercy Lane” in the church parking lot: